Call for reforms in Blasphemy Laws, does not amount to Blasphemy ; Pak SC [Read Jt]

If the asserted religious motivation of the appellant for the murder committed by him by taking the law in his own hands is to be accepted as a valid mitigating circumstance in this case then a door shall become open for religious vigilantism which may deal a mortal blow to the rule of law in this country where divergent religious interpretations abound and tolerance stands depleted to...

Legal Services Day Celebrations: PM says Law students should research on Lok Adalats; Justice Thakur demands free broadcasting for legal awareness

The celebrations for the National Legal Services Day saw Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasizing on the urgency for reducing the gap between the rich and poor litigants for a fair justice delivery. He said the notion of free legal aid finds its roots in the idea that no individual should have to undergo trial in the absence of a proper legal assistance.Referring to NALSA’s efforts...

After complaint of Gender Bias, SC promises more women Judges in Apex Court, High Courts [Read Suggestions]

Out of 29 Supreme Court judges, only one - Justice R Banumathi - is a woman. Since independence, only 6 women judges have been elevated to Supreme Court out of total 229 judges appointed from 1950.Its worse in High Courts across the country where there are a total of only 62 women judges compared to a total 611 male judges .In 24 state high courts, 9 of them did not have a single woman...

Separate Anganwadis for Dalit children; NHRC issues notice to Gujarat Govt

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on suo motu cognizance of a media report that there are two separate Anganwadis, one for the children of Dalits and the other for the children of other castes in Gujarat's Hajipur village of Patan district has issued notice to the Secretary, Department of Women and Child Development, Gujarat calling for a report within two weeks. "The contents of...

Breaking; Kerala HC upholds further investigation ordered against Kerala Law Minister K.M. Mani in Bar Scam Case [Read Order]

'Caesar's wife must be above suspicion'. The fundamental principle that justice is not only done but it should appear that it is done, is applicable not to the judiciary alone; whereas, it is equally applicable to the other two pillars of the State also. In a case like this, it is quite natural that the common man may entertain a feeling that there cannot be a proper investigation by a...

President of India should warn Jayalalithaa for violating Constitution in Kovan's Case; Justice Katju [Read the Letter]

Justice Markandey Katju today said that the President of India should send a warning to Jayalalithaa telling her that she is violating the Constitution, and hence she should release Kovan, who has been arrested for criticizing the Chief Minister Jayalalithaa about sale of liquor, etc, immediately and unconditionally and drop the trumped up charges against him, failing which her government...

"Tolerance" has to be ensured in India; Justice Thakur

"Tolerance" has to be ensured and the democratic system needs to be "stable" in India's endeavour to become the next superpower, Justice T S Thakur, who is taking over as the Chief Justice said. He was speaking at the launch of "The Power of Raisina Hill: The Constitutional Position, Functions and Powers of the President of India”, book by Dr Lokendra Malik. Notably, the book presents...

High Courts Weekly Round-up

Allahabad High CourtAllahabad High Court, in a Petition filed by a minor rape Victim, requested the Government to frame suitable legislation in the matter of rehabilitation of rape victims. It also directed the state government to State Government make a fixed deposit of a sum of rupees ten lakhs in the name of Victim. A division bench of Justices ShabihulHasnain and D. K....

Supreme Court Weekly Round-Up

Police Witness can’t be disbelieved merely because he is a policeSupreme Court, in Baldev Singh Vs State of Haryana, held that evidence of police witnesses cannot be discarded merely on the ground that they belong to police force and interested in the investigation and their desire to see the success of the case. This observation was made by Apex Court bench of Justices Jagdish Singh Kehar...

Illegible signatures in some document not a ground to reject Secondary Evidence; Supreme Court [Read Judgment]

The Supreme Court has held that merely because the signatures in some of the documents were not legible and visible that cannot be a ground to reject the secondary evidence. Apex Court bench of Justices M.Y. Eqbal and C. Nagappan allowed the appeal by setting aside the High Court order.In this case, Trial court had admitted a photocopy of document, saying that the applicant has been able...

A limited interest created in whatever form in favour of a widow who was having a pre-existing right of maintenance, becomes an absolute right by the operation of Section 14(1) of the Hindu Succession Act; Supreme Court

Supreme Court has held that a limited interest created in whatever form, in favour of widow who was having a pre-existing right of maintenance becomes an absolute right by the operation of Section 14(1) of the Hindu Succession Act. Apex Court bench comprising of Justices M.Y. Eqbal and C. Nagappan dismissed an appeal and upheld the view adopted by High Court regarding Section 14 of the...

Madras High Court Judge C S Karnan accuses CJ Kaul of harassment asks Accountant General to check misuse of Funds by CJ [Updated]

Madras High Court Judge Justice C.S.Karnan wrote a letter to Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul with copies marked to President of India and Chief Justice of India, accusing Chief Justice Kaul of Harassment and belittlement. He also stated that he is desirous of proceeding on long leave because of the harassment.“Since your Lordship is solely in-charge of the Madras High Court and invested...